Loose-leaf book.



.PATENTED JAR. 6,1903

H. O. MILLER. LOOSE LEAP BOOK APPLICATION Hum DEG. 1a, 1901 I0 MODEL.

1 mums PETERS an. mm'ouwm ww mm'au. 04 c UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

HENRY G. MILLER, OF MILWAUKEE, \VISCONSIN.

LOOS E-LEAF BOOK.

E PECI FIGATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 717,697, dated. January 6, 1903.

Application'iiled December 18,1901. Serial No. 86.397. (No model.)

To all whom, it Hea concern: I

Be it known that I, HENRY O. MILLER, residing at Milwaukee, in the county of Milwaukee and State of Wisconsin, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Loose- Leaf Books, of which the ,following is a description, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, which are a part of this specification.

My invention has relation to improvements in loose-leaf books.

An important object of the invention is to provide a construction of loose-leaf book wherein each telescoping locking-post combines in itself a means whereby when unlocked it automatically effects the separation of the cover-sections of the book.

A further object resides in an improved form of locking-post wherein the locking dog or pawl thereof is so arranged that the diameter of the post-section carrying said locking dog or pawl remains uniform, whereby the lockingposts serve also the additional function for holding the leaves of the book.

A further object resides in the provision of a construction whereby the section of the locking-post which is provided with the ratchet-teeth is prevented when turned to the limit permitted from being withdrawn vertically entirely out of engagement with the other section of thepost, which it telescopically fits. V

A further object resides in employing in connection with a plurality of telescoping locking-posts of the described character, of means for rotating corresponding sections of said posts simultaneously, and thereby turning the ratchet-teeth of said post-sections out of line with the locking-dogs in order to permit of the adjustment of the cover-sections of the book closer together or farther apart.

A still further object resides in employing, in connection with a plurality of locking-posts of the described character having meansfor simultaneously turning corresponding sections of said posts, of a holding-post, one section thereof forming a pivot'for the connection thereto of the movable lock-actuating mechanism.

A further object resides in the provision of an improved form of locking mechanism,

whereby the lock-actuating mechanism can only be operated by means of a peculiar form of key.

A still further object resides in the provision of an improved form of locking mechanism whereby the lock-actuating mechanism can only be operated by means of a peculiar form of key, said key causing the lock-actuating mechanism to be operated in one direction only far enough tobring the ratchetteeth of one section of a locking post in line to be engaged by the locking-dog and to be operated in the opposite direction only far enough to bring said ratchet-teeth out of engagement with the locking-dog, the said key being prevented from being withdrawn until the latter adjustment is attained.

With the above primary and other incidental objects in view the invention consists of the devices and parts or their equivalents,

as hereinafter set forth.

7 In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a perspective view of a loose-leaf book embodying my improvements. Fig. 2 is an elevation of the rear frame with the binding or leather cover of the book removed and looking upon the inner side of said frame. Fig. 3 is a cross-section of Fig. 2. Fig. 4 is a plan view of Fig. 2 with the top sheet-metal plate which extends down and forms a portion of the back removed. Fig. 5 is a detail view of a fragment of one of the locking-posts, the outer tube being in section. Fig. 6 is a view at right angles to Fig. 5, the outer tube being in full lines. Fig. 7 is a plan View of a fragment of one of the sheet-metal plates which forms a portion of the back and which extends o'ver the top or beneath the bottom of the frame, the view looking on the horizontal flange of said plate. Fig. 8 is a view of a modified form of frame wherein provision is made for a plurality of leaf-holding posts to .be used in conjunction with aplurality of locking-posts and also showing a modified form of pivot for the lock-actuating mechanism. Fig. 9 is a detail view of the keyholeplate and the crank therebeneath. Fig. 10 is a vertical section through Fig. 9 and the parts therebeneath, and Fig. his a detail View of the key.

Referring to the drawings,the numerals 12 and 13 indicate the side pieces constituting ICO the cover of the book. The metallic frame, which is arranged at the rear or back of the book, consists of the upper and lower clamping-strips 14 and 15, respectively, adapted to be moved toward and from each other, as is common in this class of devices. The upper clamping-strip has' fast thereto and depending therefrom the end guide-arms 16 16, which slidingly fit in the end guides 17 17, extending upwardly from. the ends of the lower clamping-strip 15. l

The back of the book is formed by two overlapping members 18 18, preferably of sheet metal, the former provided at its upper edge with a projecting flange 19, which is secured to the upper clam ping-strip 14, and the latter provided at its lower edge with a similar flange 19, which is secured to the lower clamping-strip 15. These flanges are prefer ably secured bymeans of short screws 20, passed through openings in the clampingstrips, with the heads of the screws against the inner sides of said clamping-strips. The upper ends of these screws have nuts 21 turned thereon, and these nuts fit in depressed rectangular recesses 22 in the flanges 19 19. By providing these depressed recesses not only are the nuts prevented from accidentally turning on the screws, but at the same time their outer sides are permitted to be made flush wit-h the outer sides of the flanges 19 19, and hence smooth surfaces are provided for the coverings of the metallic portions.

It will be seen from Fig. 1 that the leather or other covering of the side pieces 12 and 13 of the book is extended to and over the metallic back-plates 18 18' and the flanges 19 19 of said plates, hinged joints 23 23 being provided by the coverings between the side pieces 12 and 13 and the flanges 19 19.

Each telescoping locking-post consists of two sections. The lower tubular section of each locking-post (indicated by the numeral 24) is fast to and extends upwardly from the lower clamping-strip 15, and the upper section (indicated by the numeral 25) is secured revolubly to and depends from the upper clamping-strip 14 and telescopes into the lower section 24. It is evidentthat, if desired, this arrangement could be reversed-that is to say, the section 24 of each locking-post could depend from the upper clamping-strip and the section 25 could extend upwardly from the lower clamping-strip--without departingfrom the spirit and scope of my invention. Within each looking-post section 24 is a coiled spring 26, which rests at its lower end against the lower clamping-strip and extends upwardly in the bored or hollowed-out portion of the upper locking-post section. Said upper section of each locking-post is also provided along one side and longitudinally thereof with a series of upwardly-inclined ratchetteeth 27, and at the lower end of these ratchetteeth is a shoulder 28, which extends only partly around the post-section. Each lower locking-post section is provided at a desired distance below its upper end with an opening 29, and adapted to extend through this opening and into the bore of the post-section is a locking-dog 30, preferably of a yielding or spring character. This dog may be formed integral with the metal of the post-section 24 by slitting said metal in order to form a tongue. I prefer, however, to form it of a separate strip of spring metal, as shown in the drawings, said strip being secured near its upper end to the post-section by means of a rivet 31. It will be noticed from Fig. 5 of the drawings that that portion of the metal of the "lower lockingpostsection against which the dog bears is beveled downwardly, and the dog is made to fit closely against this beveled surface. By this provision the fact that the dog is secured to the outside surface of the post-section does not increase the diameter of said post-section at any point, and hence a uniform diameter throughout is preserved. This is important, as it thereby leaves a uniform and smooth surface throughout the post-section, and consequently the openings of the leaves 32 of the book fit snugly and evenly on the posts. It will be further noticed from Fig. 5 that the free end of the spring-dog, which is bent inwardly through the opening 29, bears against an in clined portion of the bordering edge of said opening. By this provision the strain is taken directly off the rivet 31, and hence the Wearing capacity of the dog is thereby greatly increased.

The loose leaves 32 of the book are, as usual in this class of devices, provided with openings (not shown) near their rear edges, through which openings the locking posts pass. These openings preferably consist of main portions of a shape to conform to the shape of the posts, but yet sufficiently large to permit the posts to move freely vertically therethrough, and with slitted portions or slots extending from the main portions rearwardly to the rear edges of the leaves in order to permit the leaves to be readily inserted in place and the main openings thereof to be engaged by the posts, as well as to permit said leaves to be readily disengaged from the posts when desired.

While the locking-posts may, perhaps, be found in practice sufficient to properly hold the leaves in place between the cover-sections of the book, yet in the Figs. 1 to4form of construction I have shown in connection therewith and intermediate thereof and alined therewith a holding-post consisting of a lower section 33, extending upwardly from the lower clamping-strip 15, and an upper section 34, extending from the upper clamping-section and telescopically fitting the lower section 33 of this post. This upper section is tubular and fits over the lower section and is of the same diameter as the lower sections of the locking-posts, so that said lower sections of the locking-posts, together with the upper section of the holding-post, preserve a uniform diameter, and hence the leaves are prevented from wabbling by reason of this uniform diameter of posts.

An important feature of my invention is the provision for simultaneously turning the sections of the locking-posts which are provided with the ratchet-teeth, so that said sections may be either turned together in order to bring untoothed portions thereof into register with the locking-dogs or turned together from the latter adjustment to a position in which the teeth are in register with the locking-dogs. To secure this result, I mount on the upper ends of the toothed sections of the lockingposts, which extend through the clampingstrip, cranks 35, and these cranks are connected by a longitudinal bar 36. Any desired means for operating this bar may be provided, and it is obvious that when the same is moved longitudinally it WilL'through the crank connections, turn the sections of the lockingposts carrying the ratchet-teeth, the turning in one direction causing said ratchet-teeth to be brought into line to be engaged by the locking-dogs, whereby the cover-sections of the book are held in adjusted position, and the turning in the opposite direction causing the ratchet-teeth to be brought out of line with the locking-dogs, and hence permitting the coiled springs 26 to expand and automaticall y separate the cover-sections of the book.

In the Figs. lto 4 form of construction the upper end of the upper section 34 of the holding-post, which extends through the clamping-strip, is shown as having mounted thereon a crank 37, which crank is also 'pivotally connected to the longitudinal bar 36. It is ob vious that the longitudinal bar may be actuated longitudinally either by extending its ends outwardly beyond the lateral edges of the book far enough to permit them to be engaged by the finger and pushed inwardly or means may be provided for engaging the upper end of the section 34 of the holding-post for the purpose of turning said section. This latter expedient I prefer in practice to adopt.

Instead of having the upper end of the upper section 34 of the holding-post connected to the longitudinal bar by means of a crank I may adopt the construction shown in Figs. 8 and 10, wherein a short tubular pivot 38, extending through the clamping-section, is employed,said tubular pivot having the crank 37 mounted thereon and extending to and pivotally connected with the longitudinal bar. In this construction I can conveniently employ not only a plurality of locking-posts, but also a pluralityof holding-posts, the pivot 38 being located in the center and the locking-posts preferably occupying end positions, with each holding-post located between a locking-post and the central pivot, as clearly shown in Fig. 8.

In case I employ either the section 34 of the holding-post or the pivot 38 as the direct means for actuating the longitudinal bar 36 end of the pivot 38.

I prefer to employ in connection therewith an improved form of lock-actuating mechanism. This consists in forming either the upper end of the post-section 34 of the holdingpost or the upper end of the pivot 38 with the diametrically opposite slots 39 39. The horizontal flange 19 of the plate 18 is provided with an opening registering with the upper end of the post-section 34 or with the upper Secured to the outside covering of the book is a keyhole-plate 40, the central keyhole-opening 41 thereof registering with the open end of the post-section 34 or the pivot 38. This keyhole-plate is also provided at diametrically opposite points with slots 42 42, extending from the main opening 41. These slots 42 are normally in register with the slots 39 39 of the pivot, and when so registering the sections of the locking-posts carrying the ratchet-teeth are adjusted so that said ratchet-teeth are engaged by the locking-dogs. In order to effect the unlocking, a key of peculiar shapeis required. A fragment of this key is shown in Fig. 11 and indicated by the numeral 43. It will be seen that near its lower end it is provided with laterally-extending lugs 44 44 and above said lugs with the edge recesses 45 45. It will be assumed that the slots 42 are in register with the slots 39 and that it is desired to eii'ect the unlocking, so as to permit of the separation of the cover-sections of the book,so that leaves may be either readily withdrawn from the book or additional ones inserted therein. The key 43 is inserted through the opening 41 of the key-plate and into the upper tubular end of the holding-post section 34 or the pivot The edge of the opening of the flange 19 of the back-section 18 will then fit in the edge recesses 45 of the key, so that said key is free to be turned. The laterallyextending lugs 44 of the key also engage the slot-s 39 39 of the holding-post section 34 or the pivot 33. The key is then turned to the right to the extent permitted by contact of the right-hand crank with a small stop-screw 46. This turning is sufficient to throw the ratchet-teeth of the sections of the lockingposts carrying said teeth out of engagement with the locking-dogs, but is not sufficient to turn the shoulders 28 of said sections of the locking-posts out of line with the locking-dogs. The moment the ratchet-teeth are turned out of engagement with the dogs the expansion of the coiled springs willcanse a separation of the cover-sections of the book. It will also be evident that the key cannot now be withdrawn, inasmuch as the upper edges of the lugs 44 thereof in case it is attempted to withdraw said key will come in contact with the under side of the flange 19 of the back-piece 18. When the cover-sections are thus separated, leaves may be either removed from the book'or additional leaves inserted therein. The key is now turned to the left to the limit permitted by reason of the contact of the innor edge of the longitudinal bar 36 with the section 34 of the holding-postor with the pivot 38. This turning is sufficient to bring the slots 39 39 into register with the slots 42 42, and hence the key can now be withdrawn. Pressure may now be exerted on the upper clamping-strip, and it will be forced downwardly toward the lower clamping-strip until the leaves are clamped securely between the cover-sections, and when pressure is removed the coversections are automatically locked at adjusted position by reason of the engagement of the locking-dogs with the ratchet-teeth.

While the stop-screw 46 acts to limit the movement of the lock-actuating mechanism to the right sufficiently far to bring the ratchet-teeth of the sections of the lockingposts out of line with the locking-dogs, but not out of line with the shoulder at the ends of the sections of the locking-posts carrying the ratchet-teeth, yet whenever it is desired that the sections of the locking-posts carryingthe ratchet-teeth shallbe entirely removed from the lower sections of said locking-posts all that is necessary to be done is to simply remove the stop-screw 46, and then when the locking mechanism is actuated to the right the sections of the locking-posts can be entirely separated. This, however, of course can only be accomplished after first having removed the metallic back-pieces 18 and 19.

While I have herein described certain specific arrangement of the parts, yet I do not wish to be understood as limiting myself precisely thereto, inasmuch as variations and modifications may be resorted to without departing from the spirit and scope of my invention-as, for instance, particularly, a reversal of the arrangement'of the posts--that is to say, the portions of the locking-posts and holding the posts which are herein designated as the lower sections thereof, may

I be the upper sections, and, vice versa, the

portions designated as the upper sections may be the lower sections.

While I have shown the section of each locking post which is provided with the ratchet-teeth as the revoluble section, yet it is evident that this section may be the stationary one and the other section carrying the locking-dog made revoluble and successful results obtained without departing from the spirit and scope of my invention.

What I claim as my invention is 1. In a loose-leaf book, the combination of the side pieces of the book, a locking-post connecting said side pieces, and consisting of sections extending respectively from the side pieces and telescopically fitting each other, a coiled spring within the bore of one of said sections and acting against the other section, means for locking the sections of the post in their telescopically-adjusted position, and means for unlocking the post-sections so as to permit the same to be lengthened by the spring, or shortened by compression against the action of said spring.

2. In a loose-leaf book, the combination of the side pieces of the book, locking-posts connecting said side pieces, and each consisting of sections extending respectively from the side pieces and telescopically fitting each other, a coiled spring within the bore of one of the sections of each post, and acting against the other section of said post, means for looking the sections of the posts in their telescopically-adjnsted position, and means for unlocking the post-sections so as to permit the same to be lengthened by the expansion of the springs, or shortened by compression, against the action of the springs.

3. In a loose-leaf book, the combination of the side pieces of the book, locking-posts connecting said side pieces, and each consisting of sections extending respectively from the side pieces, and telescopically fitting each other, one of said sections being revoluble, and one of said sections also provided with ratchet-teetharrangedlongitudinallythereoi, but not entirely therearonnd, and the other of said sections provided with a locking-dog adapted to be engaged with and disengaged from the teeth upon the proper turning of the revoluble section, and connecting means between the revoluble sections of the posts, and adapted when operated to rock the revoluble sections of the posts simultaneously, the rocking of said postsections in one direction throwing the ratchet-teeth and the dogs out of engagement, and the rocking of said postsections in the opposite direction throwing said teeth and the dogs into engagement.

4. In a loose-leaf book, the combination of upper and lower clamping-strips, lockingposts connecting said strips, each post consisting of sections extending respectively from the clamping-strips and telescopically fitting each other, one of said sections being revoluble, and one of said sections also provided with ratchet-teeth arranged longitudinally thereof, but not entirely therearound, and the other of said sections provided with a locking-dog adapted to be en gaged with and disengaged from the teeth upon the proper turning of the revoluble sections, cranks at the ends of the revoluble sections of the locking-posts, and a longitudinal bar connecting the cranks, said bar adapted when moved longitudinally to rock the revoluble sections of the posts simultaneously, the rocking of said'post-sections in one direction throwing the ratchet-teeth and the dogs out of engagement, and the rocking of said post-sections in the opposite direction throwing said teeth and the dogs into engagement.

5. In a loose-leaf book, the combination of the side pieces ofthe book, locking-posts connecting said side pieces, each post consisting of sections extending respectively from the side pieces and telescopically fitting each other, one of said sections being revoluble, and one of said sections also provided with ratchet-teeth arranged longitudinally thereof, but not entirely therearound, and the other of said sections provided with a locking-dog adapted to be engaged with and dis engaged from the teeth upon the proper turning of the revoluble sections, a turnable pivot alined with the locking-posts, and connecting means between the revoluble sections of the posts and the turnable pivot,and adapted, when operated, to rock the revoluble sections of the posts simultaneously, the rocking of said postsections in one direction throwing the ratchet-teeth and the dogs out of engagement, and the rocking of said post-sections in the opposite direction throwing said teeth and the dogs into engagement.

6. In a loose-leaf book, the combination of upper and lower clamping-strips, lockingposts connecting said strips, each post consisting of sections extending respectively from the clamping-strips and telescopically fitting each other, one of said sections being revoluble, and one of said sections also provided with ratchet-teeth arranged longitudinally thereof, but not entirely therearound, and the other of said sections provided with a locking-dog adapted to be engaged with and disengaged from theteeth upon the proper turning of the revoluhle sections, cranks at the ends of the revoluhle sections of the locking-posts, a turna'ble pivot alined with the locking-posts,a crank extending from the pivot, and a longitudinal bar connecting the several cranks, said bar adapted when moved longitudinally torock the revoluble sections of the posts simultaneously, the rocking of said post-sections in one direction throwing the ratchet-teeth and the dogs out ofengagement, and the rocking of said post-sections in the opposite direction throwing said teeth and the dogs into engagement.

7. In a loose-leaf book, the combination of the side pieces of the book,locking-posts connecting said side pieces,each post consistingof sections extending respectively from the side pieces, and telescopically fitting each other, one of said sections being revoluble, and one of said sections also provided with ratchetteeth arranged longitudinally thereof, but not entirely therearound, and the other of said sections provided with a locking-dog adapted to be engaged with and disengaged from the teeth upon the proper turning of the revoluble sections, a holding-post alined with the locking-post and consisting of telescoping sections extending respectively from the side pieces, one of said sections being revoluble, and connecting means between the revoluble sectionsof the locking-posts and the revoluble section of the holding-post, and adapted when operated to rock the revoluble sections of the locking-posts and the revoluble section of the holding-post simultaneously, the rocking of the sections of the lockingposts in one direction throwing the ratchetteeth and the dogs out of engagement, and the rocking of said sections in the opposite direction throwing said teeth and the dogs into engagement.

8. In a loose-leaf book, the combination of upper and lower clamping-strips, lockingposts connecting said strips, each post consisting of sections extending respectively from the clamping-strips and telescopically fitting each other, one of said sections being revoluble, and one of said sections being also provided with ratchet-teeth arranged longitudinally thereof, but not extending entirely therearound, and the other of said sections provided with a locking-dog adapted to be engaged with and disengaged from the teeth upon the proper to rning of the revoluble sections, cranks extending from the ends of the revoluble sections of the locking posts, a holding -post consisting of telescoping sections extending respectively from the clamping-strips, one of said sections being revoluble, a crank extending from the end of the revoluble section of the holding-post, and a longitudinal bar connecting the several cranks, the said bar adapted when moved longitudinally to rock the revoluble sections of the locking-posts, and the revoluble section of the holding-post simultaneously, the rocking of the revoluble sections of the locking-posts in one direction throwing the ratchetteeth and the dogs out of engagement and the rocking of said post-sections in the opposite direction throwing said teeth and the dogs into engagement.

9. In a loose-leaf book, the combination of upper and lower clamping-strips, lockingposts connecting said strips, each post consisting ,of sections extending respectively from the clamping-strips and telescopically fitting each other, and one of said sections provided with ratchet-teeth arranged longitudinally thereof, but not extending entirely therearound, and the other of said sections provided with a locking-dog adapted to be engaged with and disengaged from the teeth upon the proper turning of the revoluble sections, a rocking pivot alined with the ends of the revoluble sections of the locking-posts,

said pivot provided at opposite points with slots, a flange fitting above the upper end of the rocking pivot and provided with an opening in line with the bore of said pivot, a key-plate above the flange, said key-plate provided with a central opening, and with branch slots extending from opposite points of the central opening, said branch slots being in register with the slots of the pivot when the revolublc sections of the lockingposts are turned sothat the ratchet-teeth are in engagement with the dogs, and being out of register when said post-sections are turned so that the teeth and dogs are out of engagement, connecting means between the revoluble sections of the locking posts and the rocking pivot, and a key provided with laterallyextending lugs from opposite edges thereof, and with opposite recesses above said lugs.

10. In a loose-leaf book, the combination of the side pieces of the book, a locking-post connecting said side pieces, and telescopically fitting each other, one of said sections being revoluble, and one of said sections also provided with ratchet-teeth arranged longitudinally thereof, but not entirely therearound, and provided at or near its lower end with a shoulder extending a greater distance around the section than the longitudinally-arranged teeth, a locking-dog carried by the other section and adapted to be engaged with and disengaged from the teeth upon the proper turning of the revoluble section, means for turning the revoluble section of the post, said section when turnedin onedirection causingthe ratchet-teeth and the dog to be brought out of line with each other, and when turned in the opposite direction causing the dog and teeth to be brought into alinement and engagement with each other, and a stop adapted to limit the extent of turning of the revoluble section of the post in the direction in which the teeth are brought out of line with the dog, so that while said teeth are thrown out of line with the dog the shoulder is still in line therewith, and the sections of the post are thereby prevented from being entirely separated.

11. In a loose-leaf book, the combination of the side pieces of the book, a locking-post connecting said side pieces, and consisting of sections extending respectively from the side pieces, and telescopically fitting each I other, one of said sections being revoluble,

and one of said sections also provided with ratchet-teeth arranged longitudinally thereof, but not entirely therearound, a locking-dog secured to the outside of the other section,

and having its free end extending through an opening in said section in position to engage with and to be disengaged from the teeth upon the proper turning of the revoluble postsections, the surface of the, section of the locking-post against which the dog bears being beveled downwardly, whereby a uniform diameter of the post is preserved throughout, and means for turning the revoluble section of the locking-post.

12. In aloose-leaf book, the combination of the side pieces of the book, a locking-post connecting said side pieces and consisting of sections extending respectively from the side pieces and telescopically fitting each other, one of said sections being revoluble, and one of said sections also provided with ratchet-teeth arranged longitudinally thereof, but not extending entirely therearound, a locking-dog secured at its upper end to the other section of the locking-post, and having its free end bent inwardly at an inclination through an opening in said section and against a beveled portion of the bordering edge of said opening, whereby the strain is taken off of the securing means of the dog, and means for turning the revoluble section of the locking-post in order to throw the teeth and the dog into and out of engagement with each other.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

HENRY O. MILLER.

Witnesses:

A. L. MORSELL, ANNA V. FAUST. 

